Altoona Wisconsin-Mosque 2006-03-14, 2006
Altoona’s story
145 years in pictures
Census counts: 805 in 1890, 8,293 in 2020. The archive holds 9 old photos and papers going back to 2006 and 3 maps from 1934 on.
- 1881Altoona is settled
Population
9,376
2025 Census estimate · +13.1% since 2020
Typical home
$342K
+2.8% in a year
Household income
$85K
median
Median age
37.5
years
Jobs based here
4,758
Balanced
TownGrade
B
#224 of 357 in WI
Is Altoona a good place to live?
Altoona is a solid, middle-of-the-road choice. It grades B overall, 224th among Wisconsin's 357 graded towns, with no subject far below average. Its best mark is health: it is healthier than 77% of U.S. towns. It also does better than most on schools: its schools outperform 65% of the state's. Its lowest everyday mark is in cost of living: homes are expensive, about $342K for a typical one and 4.6 times the Eau Claire metro’s $75K median household income. Altoona’s trail density is 2.1 miles per square mile, above both Wisconsin’s towns (0.4) and U.S. towns (0.4). On history, just 73 of Wisconsin’s 879 towns do worse. The biggest park or preserve is Fairway Park, at 70 acres.
What makes Altoona stand out
Where Altoona beats most towns.
A growing town
Altoona has grown 40% since 2010
6,706 counted in 2010 and 8,293 in 2020; an estimated 9,376 in 2025.
Growth hasn’t slowed: 13.1% since 2020, after 23.7% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Altoona grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Wisconsin), ordered by how far Altoona is from typical.
HealthMarshfield Medical Center - Eau Claire 3.9 miles awayA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.7 of 20; 8.4% of households have no car; 1.8% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB+Open →SchoolsB+Open →Cost of livingC+Open →Jobs & income$85K median household incomeBOpen →SafetyC+Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 44% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors2% conserved landAOpen →History2 notable people born hereC−Open →Civic life3.9 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Altoona: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Altoona, and how to reach them.
PowerXcel Energy15.6¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterAltoona Waterworks1 health-based violation in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpGreen Waste Disposal + Metal Recycling FacilityDrop-offTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Wisconsin you can register online until 20 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 20 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereCity of Altoona ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Apr 2026
ZIP code5472054720 99%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Altoona.
Altoona has better schools than Washington or any other neighbor, is safe by national standards but not by Wisconsin’s and has fewer 90° days than most of the country, though not than most of Wisconsin.
OutdoorsA
Altoona has set aside 1.7% of its land for conservation
12 miles of trail in 18 parks and preserves.
#7for trails in WI
1.7%
conserved · 60 of 3,438 acres
12 mi
of trails · 2.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Otter Creek Trail Park | 2.5 mi | 69 |
| 2. Cinder City Park | 1.5 mi | 33 |
| 3. Lake Altoona County Park | 1.5 mi | 24 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsB+
For schools, Altoona earns a B+
Its B+ is the best School Grade on its borders; Washington (B−) is next.
Its public schools are run by the Altoona School District. Three of its 6 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Altoona High, with 551 students.
65%of WI districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–3 | Grades PK–3 | 555 | B |
| Altoona HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 551 | B+ |
| Altoona IntermediateTop results in townGrades 4–5 | Grades 4–5 | 278 | A− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within WI on state tests and graduation
HealthA−
For health, Altoona earns an A−
31% of Altoona adults have obesity, below both the Wisconsin town median (38%) and the median of U.S. towns (35%). Altoona beats the Wisconsin average on 3 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 1. 19% of Altoona adults binge drink.
77%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Altoona | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 38% | 35% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 20% | 16% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 25% | 24% | 23% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 12% | 13% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Wisconsin
3 better28 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Altoona | WI |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 7.4% | 9.9% |
| Fewer adults with obesity | 30.8% | 37.7% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 9.7% | 8.6% |
Marshfield Medical Center - Eau Claire
3.9 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
72nd
percentile among WI towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
In Altoona, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
The Eau Claire Rgnl Ap weather station, 5 miles away, records that about 10 days a year reach 90°: fewer than most of the country, but more than 86% of Wisconsin places with climate records. July afternoons average 82°: cooler than most of the country, but hotter than 78% of Wisconsin places with climate records; January nights average 5.4°.
Altoona has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The January low in Altoona is 5°F. About 55 inches of snow falls in a winter.
55″snow a winter
| Altoona | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 5°F | 11°F | 22°F |
| July high | 82°F | 82°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter9–27°
Spring33–56°
Summer57–80°
Fall37–57°
Oct 4
typical first frost
May 8
typical last frost
+1.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
About half of Altoona’s working residents commute to Eau Claire
Jobs based here grew from 2,867 in 2013 to 4,758.
Most working residents leave Altoona for work: only 10% work in town. Altoona’s average trip to work is 18 minutes. Since 2013, Altoona has added 1,891 jobs, to 4,758 in 2023.
10%work in town
| Altoona | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 18 minutes | 22 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 13% | 6.3% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 10% | 8.2% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Altoona10%
Eau Claire45%
Chippewa Falls6%
Union5%
Menomonie3%
5 mi
median commute distance
4,758
jobs based in Altoona
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 66% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SafetyC+
Altoona sees more crime per resident than 61% of U.S. towns
At 23.5 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports more crime than 81% of Wisconsin’s graded towns. Reported crimes fell from 264 to 179 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
39%of U.S. towns report more crimeC+Safety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Altoona0.5
Wisconsin2.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Altoona18.2
Wisconsin10.3
U.S.15.5
39th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
19th
percentile among WI towns
5
violent crimes reported in 2025
174
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Who lives here
Fewer middle-aged adults than Wisconsin overall
Adults 35 to 64 are 34% of residents (38% statewide). 42% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Altoona. Altoona has grown 13% since 2020, to 9,376 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate.
37.5median age · WI 40.2
| Altoona | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 42% | 32% | 29% |
| Median age | 37.5 years | 42.1 years | 40.5 years |
AltoonaWisconsinUnited States
Ages · share of residents
15%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma3%
High school23%
Some college17%
Associate’s14%
Bachelor’s28%
Graduate15%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±3.4 points. Across Wisconsin, 49.9% of residents are women.
| Altoona | WI | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 11.8% | 11.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.4% | 10.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 10.8% | 9.3% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 14.6% | 12.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 14.8% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 6% | 11.8% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13.2% | 13.8% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 10.7% | 11.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 8.6% | 7.3% | 7% |
| No diploma | 3% | 6.4% | 10.4% |
| High school | 23.3% | 29.4% | 26% |
| Some college | 17.4% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 14% | 11.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 27.8% | 22% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 14.5% | 11.4% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B−
Altoona faces a moderate natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 56% of U.S. communities.
44risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HousingCost of living grade C+
For cost of living, Altoona earns a C+
The typical Altoona home is worth about $342,000, up 2.8% in a year, close to the Wisconsin typical home.
$342KZillow home value
| Altoona | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 52% | 74% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,285 a month | $1,076 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Altoona$342K
Wisconsin$337K
Market temperature
39
days on market
99.6%
sale-to-list price
+2.8%
value change, 1 year
8
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Altoona
20pages on Altoona
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 65% of WI districts · 6 schoolsSafetyC+0.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than WI on 3 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC+$342K typical home · up 2.8% in a yearWork & commuteB$85K median household income · 4,758 jobs hereNatural hazardsB−FEMA risk higher than 44% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
2 within 15 miles of the center of Altoona
University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity or college · Public · Eau Claire3 mi$9,642 in-state tuitionChippewa Valley Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · Eau Claire3.2 mi$4,844 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Altoona residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Wisconsin.
Get outside
12 miles of trails in Altoona
1.7% of the town is conserved land, across 18 parks and preserves.
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
About Altoona
City in Wisconsin, United States
Altoona ( al-TOO-nə) is a city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,292 at the 2020 census with an estimated population in 2022 of 9,149. The city is a railroad terminal on the Union Pacific Railroad.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1881
- Area
- 4.9 sq mi
- Elevation
- 896 ft
- ZIP code
- 54720
Altoona’s neighbors
3 towns share a border with Altoona.
WashingtonEau ClaireSeymourAltoona
How the neighbors grade
| Town | WI rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | #224 | B | C+ | C+ | B+ | A− |
| Washington | #164 | B+ | C+ | — | B− | A− |
| Eau Claire | #264 | B− | C+ | C+ | B− | A− |
| Seymour | #220 | B | C+ | — | B− | B+ |
Washington and Seymour report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Altoona with a neighbor →
Questions about Altoona
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Altoona, WI a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. Altoona grades B overall, better than 57% of U.S. towns and #224 of 357 in Wisconsin. It grades A− for health, C+ for safety and B+ for schools.
Is Altoona, WI safe?
Wisconsin has less crime than most states, so among its own towns Altoona sits nearer the middle.
Is Altoona, WI expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.
What is Altoona, WI known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Fred Thurston and Dustin Pfundheller.